April 23, 2014 – Norwegian Cruise Line is elevating the cruise ship cocktail and enhancing guests’ travel experience with an exciting new destination-based handcrafted summer beverage program. The line announced today that they have partnered with James Beard Award-nominated mixologist Gabriel Orta of Miami-based Bar Lab Cocktails to create five seasonal beverage menus focusing on local ingredients that celebrate popular summer destinations including Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska and Europe.

In line with the classic cocktail culture resurgence seen in today’s land-based bars and restaurants, the onboard regional menus each feature four specialty cocktails created with traditional spirits and flavors relevant to the ships’ itineraries.

Recognized for their ingenious approach to the industry, the avant-garde cocktail programs created by Bar Lab have been awarded numerous professional honors and featured in publications worldwide. The summer menus designed by Bar Lab along with the Norwegian beverage development team feature avant-garde cocktails made with fresh juices, aromatic herbs and complementary local spirits. The new cocktails offer guests an advanced taste of the ship’s ports of call and further immerse them in the local culture.

When sailing to Bermuda on Norwegian Breakaway or Norwegian Dawn, guests can enjoy a traditional Dark & Stormy, with Bermuda’s own Gosling’s Rum and ginger beer, or sample a new take on a Mai Tai, featuring house-made almond syrup, Gosling’s Rum and dusted with powdered cinnamon. Cruisers in the Caribbean sailing onboard Norwegian Getaway or Norwegian Sky can try a Spicy Pina Punch, with Bacardi Superior Rum and chipotle pineapple syrup, or a unique Island Colada, featuring coconut cream, peach puree and Bacardi Dark rum.
Distinct beverages on the Europe menu, which is served on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Star, highlight Aperol, Campari, Hennessey and Grand Marnier, while on Pride of America Hawaii cocktails include Whaler’s Dark rum and even Kona beer. Those guests experiencing an Alaskan cruise on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jewel or Norwegian Sun can warm up after exploring a glacier with a Smoky Hot Toddy, combining crème de cacoa, orange peel, cloves, bitters and Grant’s scotch or a Northwest Java Jump with Patron XO Café, Chai tea and cream.

Guests sailing with Norwegian this summer can enjoy these specialty cocktails from July 1 – September 15. Norwegian will debut new menus featuring holiday cocktails in early November.